Biochemical activity and gas regime in the eutrophic and mesotrophic swamp of Gorny Altai

The results of studies of biological activity, concentrations of carbon-containing greenhouse gases and their emissions in eutrophic and mesotrophic swamps are presented. It was established that 4 years of research are characterized as long-term averages, levels marsh water in the swamps were close to the surface, and the humidity in the 0–30 cm layer did not fall below 0.8 of the total moisture capacity. It was revealed that the degree of heating of peat profiles of swamps is determined by their type and the level marsh water. The activity of oxidoreductases involved in the formation of humic substances has been revealed. The activity of catalase and polyphenol oxidase in the peats of a eutrophic swamp is identical to their activity in the peats of a mesotrophic swamp, and the activity of peroxidase in eutrophic peats is 1.5–6 times higher compared to the peats of a mesotrophic swamp. The dynamics of carbon-containing gases in the peat profile of swamps was studied, which showed similar values for both types of swamps from 0.07 to 1.4 mmol/dm3 for CO2 and from zero to 0.65 mmol/dm3 for CH4. The extreme values of the concentration of CO2 and CH4 gases in the eutrophic peat deposit were determined: for CO2 – 0.07–1.40 and for CH4 – 0.00–0.65 mmol/dm3, and in the mesotrophic: for CO2 – 0.05–1.10 mmol/dm3 and for CH4 – 0.00–0.62 mmol/dm3. In the eutrophic swamp, limits of emission values are observed: for CO2 – 17.2–77.1 mg CO2/(m2 h), for CH4 1.3–11.3 mg CH4/(m2 h). In a mesotrophic swamp, the emission limits are: for CO2 – 34.9–109.9 mg CO2/(m2 h), for CH4 – 0.5–15.1 mg CH4/(m2 h). Quantitative indicators of biological parameters and their distribution along the peat profile of eutrophic and mesotrophic types were obtained. It has been proven that the activity of biological processes manifests itself throughout the peat profile of the swamp down to the mineral underlying rocks, but the degree of their activity is determined by the type of swamp and the botanical composition of the peat profile.